Roney Keeps 25 Animals
Pleads No Contest
By Ryan Schlehuber

Twenty-nine of the more than 50 animals owned by Larry Roney will be or have been put up for adoption, a condition set by 92nd District Court Judge Beth Gibson Tuesday, February 26, against the Rexton man, who pleaded no contest to animal neglect, a misdemeanor punishable by up to 93 days in jail.

Mr. Roney, 69, will forfeit 10 horses, six goats, five llamas, four donkeys, two chickens, and two pigs to Mackinac County Animal Control, which seized most of the animals in January after Animal Control officer Wendy Frosland obtained a warrant based on poor living conditions for the animals.

From the animals that were seized, Mr. Roney will be allowed to keep five horses, six goats, two llamas, and seven dogs. He also has three bobcats and two porcupines that he holds under a permit from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. Mr. Roney sold his stallion, one of the animals not seized, said Mrs. Frosland.

Mr. Roney will be on probation for a year, during which time he must provide a sanitary living environment for the animals, maintain their vaccinations and licenses, and Dr. Gail Hoholik, a veterinarian from Manistique, will examine the animals each month at Mr. Roney's expense. He is also not allowed to take on any more animals.

"This is a strict probation," said County Prosecutor Fred Feleppa in a press release issued shortly after Mr. Roney's 50-minute trial. "Reducing his herd and monitoring their condition, in my opinion, is justice. I am satisfied with this outcome."

Mrs. Frosland said Monday, March 3 that Mr. Roney has cleaned his barn where the animals stay to her satisfaction, however, she believes none of the animals should be given back to Mr. Roney.

"I'm not really happy about it," she said. "We didn't even request for any restitution, so the cost of caring for these animals goes back all on the taxpayers."

Sheltering, feeding, and medical treatment has cost the county more than $10,000, said Mrs. Frosland. The county has received more than $4,000 in donations.

Since August 2006, when Ms. Frosland began monitoring Mr. Roney, the county has found no evidence of Mr. Roney torturing, abusing, or not feeding the animals, said Mr. Feleppa.

"He appears to be an individual whose love for animals got carried away," said the prosecutor.

Half of the animals seized were pregnant. Two animals, a horse and a dog, were euthanized. More animals may still have to be killed, said Mrs. Frosland.

She has been arranging adoptions for the animals since they were seized, and after the trial, she processed all but four goats and four horses. Those animals are still available for adoption. All funding from adoption will go to the county, according to Mrs. Frosland. Adoption fees, consisting of the cost of spaying or neutering the animal, can range between $50 and $150, depending on the size of the animal.

More than 2,000 e-mails, faxes, letters, and telephone calls flooded Mr. Feleppa's office about the case, including inquires from People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), a national animal rights organization.